Cytoplasm

About My Clan:

... Their shores littered with mounds of bone fragments. The marrow sucked out and delicious luminous carrion feeding mushrooms take root in these remains. Some of creatures. Some of dragons. The intense green glow of the eerie waters and pungent steam do provide you with light to see, though the fumes may obscure dragons that don’t need to see to know you’re here among them.

They’re skinless, scabby, and wretched. As wretched as their sense of humor. They’re glad you’re here. They give you a hearty welcome. Welcome to the Doomwyte Clan of Plague!

Alignment

We our children of our Mother, The Plague Bringer, first and foremost. Our clan began within the Doomwyte Caverns, a series of sulfurous geothermal spring caves bordering the lesioned coast, to the south of Splitneck Falls and The Sanguine Pool Salt Flats. Our clan has always had an alliance with the dragons far across the sea, those of desert and storm. The Children of Storm have been benefiting from our fishing grounds far below the trench, where it is easy to procure resources without the finicky weather of the waters above meddling in our affairs. We’ve since integrated our ranks and spread our posts to distant places throughout Sornieth.

Hara No Mushi

On this paw, imagine that these four claws represent the animals, fungi and slimes-all the consumers of matter as we understand it and the thumb represents the plants- consumers of light.

Then let’s say dragons are here… On the tip of the middle claw, farthest from the heart.

The heart is where life began, between dreams and reality. The very essence of life. The desire to exist and persist reaching out into the world of many elements and arranging them to make itself real, palpable, but also, too vulnerable.

To even know its own existence is to put it into jeopardy. But to not try at all would be even worse than being robbed by death. To never even begin to exist and to grow. To not learn and adapt to the reality- the way of things.

That is a fate of terminal inertness and is nothing of the spirit of our Mother’s Land.

The heart though not fully here nor there, is a place of churning desire. A place that spawns creatures which have yet to fully enter our realm. And so they often cling to others already here. We call them Hara No Mushi, an unflattering name outside our Mother’s Land, true. But it is simply their nature. Neither evil, nor good, they are beings trying to exist and adapt as we dragons do.

It is a great boon for us to understand them and realize how we can work together. They strive to be with us, on our plane, while many a dragon would wish to have their connection to the very heart of our being, from which our ancestors arose. It is quite plain to see how we can fit together like puzzle pieces and bring what we wish to fruition.

(Some references to Mushishi, although the concept itself is derived from the writings of pathogenic yokai, some being microscopic and related to actual diseases, others being macroscopic and related to general ailments, even “bad luck” or “unhappiness” that may or may not be connected with any real genetic disorder. Essentially spirit-germs, though the balance between parasitism-commensalism-mutualism is a spectrum and hardly well defined into these categories within the Scarred Wasteland.)

Cryptids

This is a catch-all term. Dragons outside of the Scarred Wasteland often refer to Hara No Mushi as cryptids; but cryptid may refer to unbodied essences, undead, post-dragon mutants, artificial life, artificial intelligences, shadow beasts, and unexplained phenomena.

Shadows

Since the arrival of the shade, whether we like it or not the core of Sornieth is shared now. Our life is only one of many branching lineages. Each place that has life, may in turn have its own ethereal source and corresponding mushi. There are many places beyond Sornieth and wherever a type of life exists, it likely intends to persist and expand its territory. Shadows are essentially the Hara No Mushi of the shade or whatever the true heart of the shade is.

Artificial Constructs




Artificial constructs: golems, hard light holograms or synthetic cell colonies, are free to pursue their own interests. We do service golems that have restricted capacities and limited tasks to perform within other communities, but we ourselves prefer having plastic-of-mind individuals which we consider fellow crew mates.

The Decaying

Those that have not made the journey to the Wyrmwound may choose to linger for a time. In most cases these creatures were dragons that fought tooth and claw to survive and continue in some way or another to be with their clan. Their bodies may be carefully preserved or they may be decomposing heavily, but they remain with us and continue to serve their clan.

Cybernetics and Augmentation

We have found a great many uses for the technology procured and/or developed by the descendants of storm. While we choose to keep scars as grim reminders or even as trophies proclaiming our triumph over great obstacles or forces; there is no reason to keep unamended wounds that would deal us additional woes. It is not uncommon for our ranks to wear prosthetics. Though others go so far as to bend the very limits of their physical bodies, allowing some vestige of their minds, claws and hides to remain after an otherwise fatal event.

The Skinless and Post-Dragons



Many dragons of the Doomwyte Caverns have adaptations not often seen outside the Wandering Contagion. Other traits are seen more as conditions, but often also have some advantage in their homeland. Many hatchlings are skinless. Some may choose to wear artificial skin or cybernetic suits. Others remain exposed and have found their appearance reasonably intimidating. Many skinless dragons have extraordinary chemosensory glands and can “see” with their skin and nares. It is next to impossible to blind such a dragon. Others exude fast hardening glue or secrete toxic blood, handy as a predation deterrent or hunting tactic.

Skinless and scaleless dragons often form unique bonds with permanent companions, usually of the Hara No Mushi variety. Although partially scaleless dragons tend to attract arachnids and form bonds with colonies of mites.

Sticky almost gelatinous post-dragons can feed by absorbing food stuffs directly through their membranes. Slimy and sludgy post-dragons typically lack the ability to feel pain, hence the other term- Quill Fodder. They do not, however, fall in battle easily. Most weaponry gets lodged into a thick layer of gelatinous blubber that eventually extricates the shafts and blades on its own.

Some varieties of post-dragon produce seemingly unending supplies of ink. Others constantly produce natural glue. Others exist in a chaotic state, creating pseudopodia to reach objects and having difficulty maintaining a “traditional” dragon shape. They may also experience emotional shape shifting, dissolving rapidly or changing into hot vapors, due to a sudden change in their mood.

Repeaters
In telecommunications, a repeater is an electronic device that receives a signal and retransmits it. Repeaters are used to extend transmissions so that the signal can cover longer distances or be received on the other side of an obstruction.

But it is not uncommon for dragons of the expanse to refer to mediums as repeaters. Especially since dragons with these natural abilities often serve in positions such as radio broadcaster, decryption, and monitoring of telecommunications. Some individuals may see this as invasive, however, the majority of such dragons are merely maintaining streams of information, rather than instigating any form of censorship, and are vital to the lives of traveling merchants, young engineering assistants, and farmers who need up to date weather warnings and schematics.

Delphyne of the Scarred Wasteland


Fae and tundra of the Wandering Contagion. Fae are generally known for the difficulty they have in communicating with others of dragon kind. Though they speak the common languages, they lack any inflection within their speech, thus others have difficulty understanding their emotional state. And naturally fae sarcasm is taken quite literally.

This subspecies has an additional challenge as they primarily communicate with their unique scent glands. Most of their pungent oils are released into the air. But their waxy protuberances tend to accumulate with these oils. They routinely preen themselves to keep their scent messages from becoming muddled. Like other fae they compliment this form of “speech” with the arching of their frills.

These fae develop seasonal tubercals, bright yellow calluses, which eventually encase the entire dragon in a hard shell that protects them from the harsh dry-season weather. They remain as these statue-like figures through out the hottest days of the year.

Within they sleep, dreaming vivid dreams. In fact, they can still communicate in this state of being and often share dreams via their scent excretions. As these scent trails can travel many miles, numerous dragons can share the same dream. They may even choose where they go to rest, based upon who their dream-mates will be.

When the days begin to cool, the pebbly tubercal shell becomes brittle, flaking away until the first deluge. The dragon finally breaks free and quickly returns to gathering food and rebuilding the old nesting grounds.

With rain comes life. Like these dragons there are many creatures that wait patiently for ideal conditions to feed, breed and flourish. The ephemeral salt ponds are a short respite from the otherwise barren landscape. Teeming with tiny crustaceans, insects, and phytoplankton, these pools take on a deep blood-like hue. Many a dragon has mistaken this abundance of food as a bad omen, as travelers from other flights do not necessarily recognize this morbid scene for what it is. Life continuing onward despite the odds.

This diet of red micro-animals has an interesting affect on these dragons. With time their body becomes tinged with the red hues of their prey. Hence the garish color combinations common to this subspecies. Each and every one of them believes this to be a pretty trait; and each and every one of them believes itself to be the most attractive of its kind.

It is fair to say that these fae have a nesting style that could also be misinterpreted. These dragons have an incredible flair for art. However, they have high standards. Dragons of the plague lands tend to covet trophies of battle and organic materials that have either a very practical purpose such as a knife carved from bone or a chalice made from the horn sheath of a large beast; or which show the hidden beauty of their lands, such as opalised bones or shiny insect specimens.

So without trees or cliffs or caves to nest in and a great size disadvantage in regards to scavenging large carcasses, how do these little dragons build their nests and satisfy their interests in collecting “treasures” from their home land?

Art. The “capturing of life” through clay sculpture. These little dragons build incredibly life like sculptures of beasts and dragons they’ve seen. Everything is done to scale and is so meticulously crafted that you would half expect these statues standing in the red brine pools to get up and take flight. These hollow sculptures serve as the nesting grounds for these fae who build small mud nests within.

These statues function like termite mounds, with internal temperature control and by providing a durable shield from the elements and would be predators. While also having a certain impressive style. It isn’t always received with the same sense of awe and pride, among travelers, who... often mistake these constructions for real petrified dragons.

The Gashadokuro and their less Malevolent Kin, Skeletal Wyrms


The Gashadokuro is a being of unfathomable power and malice. It is said that when many warriors are slain and whose carcasses are left to rot in the fields... their heart turn to ashes and are reborn as ghosts, longing to see the living suffer, the many angry spirits merge into one; thus a Gashadokuro is made.

Too large and powerful to be killed, gashadokuro maintain their existence until the energy and malice stored up in their bodies has completely burnt out. Thankfully, few of these abominations still trudge on and new ones are rarely born. They were quite common though, in the times of our ancestors, when wars and famine were a part of everyday life.

Meanwhile, many more Skeletal Wyrms exist under similar influence as the Gashadokuro, but at a much smaller scale. Unlike their larger vicious kin, these single former-dragons are usually the result of careful preparations made by their closest living relatives. They may exist to reek havoc or they may not. And may not even have a known “purpose” at all, given that many are reasonable creatures rather than hatred fueled weapons.

Fate of Skeletal Wyrms and the Dragon Storms

Skeletal Wyrms of reasonable consciousness may choose to preserve themselves. They may take great care to bind their bones with treated wrappings and remove any unwanted detritivores that would seek to consume the inert remains that are liable to be infested and destroyed by the rot. Or great care was taken to ensure the longest extended time of existence that could be achieved for the deceased by their undertakers and family. Some therefore last to reek their vengeance upon tomb intruders far beyond expectation.

However, there are those who embrace whatever their fate may be without preservatives and layers of wrappings. Some wake up having never had the intention of returning. They may not even know what drives them to be. What is their purpose or desire that clings so determinedly to the mortal plane? Like guardians seeking their charges, these skeletal wyrms feel compelled to find their “purpose” or “reason for being”. Usually they discover that it is their duties to their clan or special destiny which have held them here. Like the Gashadokuro fueled by rage, these dragons are powered by their emotional states, though they may be the desire to protect their clan, love, joy or simply fear of the unknown.

As time goes by, especially in less than forgiving landscapes, these skeletal wyrms petrify, becoming more stone than dragon. Then they fossilize with agate or opal growing from their remains. If the rot doesn’t permeate their being they still decay in this slow way. The agate crystals erode. Crumbling into sand that still holds the mind of the dragon. These drifts may eventually forget and are swept across their deity’s territory. A handful remain as peculiar oddities. Sand with a mind, relearning to take the shape of the dragon they once were. They can exist as raging sand storms or moving sandstone walls. In either form they pose a significant threat. It is far better to be the friend of a dragon storm than its enemy.

The Cup Wyrms


These are dragons of uncertain origin. What is known about them is that they appeared within the Stormcatcher’s domain. They have the appearance of a nocturne or wildclaw or some hybrid of the two. Regardless of body type they are fast runners and take to a springing gallop rather than to the air. Although their wings are functional, they usually splay them when cornered, allowing a potential enemy to brush them. This is, however, a dreadful mistake.

When relaxed the tawny hide of these dragons emits a soft blue glow. When agitated this glow intensifies with the head disappearing into its own blinding radiance and the wings emitting sharp jolts. The slightest touch is garranteed maximum pain.

These dragons are also unique in that their lower half is dominated by a specialized bladder that stores a cocktail of organic compounds that have a unique energizing property. These dragons are also known to use this substance during complicated necromancy rituals.

Ephemeral Wyrms and Mother’s Protection


There are times when long spindly creatures emerge from the flesh of Mother’s land. These temporary pseudo-dragons usually exist for only a few weeks, although there are known exceptions. Their purpose, to protect Mother’s children when she sees fit to do so. It is a way the land can even defend itself, when the odds are stacked against the dragons that belong to it.




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Fortress of Ends Forge Masters



A large number of dragons and shadows have been recruited to the Crater Outpost; an industrious lair within the Flamecaller’s domain. While these dragons may be obligated to obey and protect the coatl ancients’ nesting grounds and banescale reintroduction zones as needed, they are still considered honorary Doomwytes and part of the larger plague/lightning alliance. These dragons typically have frost bite despite working around intense kilns, ovens, and tempering stones. Their bodies constantly grow and shed ice due to their prolonged imprisonment within the Ice Wardens most well guarded cells. Despite this, most of these shade twisted dragons and common gaolers do not suffer. Relief is provided by traditional plague healers, lightning medical engineers and tentative blessings by the Flame Mother. Thus these workers live hard but fulfilling lives.

Tinglers



An entity found within most nonsludge/nonapparition dragons (except plague flight). More material than a standard mushi, it seems likely these creatures dwell in some form as internal fauna, not unlike gut bacteria. However, tinglers removed from their host begin to metamorphose. This hemimetabolous doesn’t change the adult’s outward appearance; however they grow larger and arguably smarter. Removed long enough and they obtain self awareness, ie. become sophont.

Fascinatingly, these creatures fail to obtain personhood without forceful removal from their host... so it would seem that it is an addivism. Once they’re in this state, they do not appear to feed or be harmed by most forms of energy attacks. They are also exceedingly tolerant of blunt force... and generally seem motivated by the desire to return to their previous unmolted state? Though a reversal has yet to be found.

Caretakers of the Wyrm Wound

Or Caretakers for short, what aberrations refer to themselves as, if anything.
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